How to draw AZTEKA

Canadian tangler Cyndi Knapp has over a dozen cool tangles on the site and Azteka is her latest contribution.

Cyndi explains where Azteka came from and some ways to vary it,

“Another mid-night pattern idea. And so as not to forget it by morning, I found myself air tangling in the dark to embed it in my mind.

The name Azteka was inspired by both the design of the pattern and the finished outcome of the tile.

It’s a very simple ribbon pattern combining S-curve and straight line strokes.

Although a handsome border or frame on its own, the variations and illustrations show how thickening line(s) alters the pattern, enclosing the pattern with aura(s) softens the geometric aspects and that when it’s stacked side-by-side it makes a good fill.”

Part of Azteka‘s composition is the triangle fret and according to Clarence P. Hornung in his Handbook of Designs and Devices, it “derives from Japanese heraldry” (Plate 182, figure 1637; Plate 183, Figure 1639).

The fret, or meander, is a plane, rectangular motif taken from early Greek ornament. It is also, in some instances, known as the key pattern … fret patterns are the angular or rectangular counterparts of the spiral. Page 215, “The Fret”.

For my example of Azteka I used the “stack side-by-side” option and varied the scale of the middle row just for fun. The Zentangle® tangle enhancer rounding and/or thickening the strokes adds yet another dimension to this lovely geometric tangle.

Cyndi illustrates the step-by-step instructions for drawing Azteka below where she features it in a lovely Zendala together with the “fragment” of the Zentangle-originals Ambler/Emingle as well as demonstrating it as a border or ribbon-style tangle along the edge of the page.

Image copyright the artist and used with permission, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please feel free to refer to the steps images to recreate this tangle in your personal Zentangles and ZIAs, or to link back to this page. However the artist and TanglePatterns.com reserve all rights to these images and they must not be publicly pinned, altered, reproduced or republished. They are for your personal offline reference only. Thank you for respecting these rights. For more information, click on the image for a discussion entitled “Artists for Respect” by several prominent artists. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” ~ C.S. Lewis

As you enjoy any of the tangles on the site, please leave a comment of thanks and encouragement to show the artists you appreciate them for sharing their creativity to inspire yours. Your comment helps motivate them to continue to share!

Check out the tag cyndik for more of Cyndi’s tangles on TanglePatterns.com.

Related Links

Linda's List of Zentangle-Original Patterns — here is the complete list of original tangles (aka "official tangles") created and introduced by founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, including those not published online. If you are new to the Zentangle Method I highly recommend learning a few of the published Zentangle classics first.

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Another great jump-starter for new tanglers is the original Official Zentangle Kit. The Kit includes all the supplies you'll need to get started properly: Sakura Micron Pens, Zentangle Tiles, pencil, sharpener, tortillion, a booklet and an instructional DVD by co-founder Maria Thomas. Click on the image for more information about the Kit and its contents.

My air-tangling story — Some time ago, I had some outpatient surgery done. Let’s just say it was invasive. Due to certain drug allergies, I had it done without anesthesia while I was awake. During the procedure, I first air-tangled a light switch, then a fire sprinkler head. During that time, the doctor said to me, “I don’t know what you’re doing but keep doing it.” When the procedure was over, I heard one nurse say to another, “Her blood pressure didn’t even change.” So to Cyndi and Sharyn and all of the other air-tanglers out there, keep it up.

Linda Dochter, that is a truly amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing it. I’m sure you will be able to use your air-tangling skill many times in your life and you have convinced me I will have to try it too. It seems like a perfect meditation practice.

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